Just a few weeks after her poignant departure from the popular series, Brenda Blethyn is set to thrill fans by ‘returning’ to Vera for a special event in Newcastle.
Brenda, a BAFTA winner renowned for her stellar performance in Mike Leigh’s Secrets and Lies, first graced our screens as the formidable detective DCI Stanhope, the matriarch of the fictional Northumberland and City Police force, at the beginning of 2011.
The pilot episode of Vera captivated millions, leading to a full series that has been one of the biggest hits on British TV for 14 years.
Even the pandemic couldn’t halt Vera’s annual appearance on TV from 2011-2005, with its final episodes airing on ITV earlier this month. The much-loved show concluded with the finale The Dark Wives, drawing a large audience.
The last scene of Vera saw Brenda’s character contentedly strolling along a beach, having packed up her belongings and left the police headquarters moments before.
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Vera came to an end just weeks ago (Image: ITV)
In an interview towards the end of last year, Brenda disclosed her decision to leave Vera after 14 years, intending to spend more time with her family in the south, after filming each new series hundreds of miles away from them every summer since 2011, reports .
While Brenda’s involvement in Vera filming appears to have concluded, she hasn’t entirely distanced herself from the show.
As fans continue to enjoy reruns on ITV, they will have the opportunity to share a space with the actress during ‘Vera – End of an Era’ at Newcastle City Hall on Thursday, March 13.
Brenda Blethyn will be taking part in an event in the coming months (Image: ITV)
This special occasion will feature Brenda alongside Vera author Ann Cleeves as they discuss the final series and reflect on their favourite scenes. TV presenter Steph McGovern will interview them on stage, and they’ll be accompanied by some surprise guests.
The event is being promoted as ‘an unmissable chance’ for fans to say their goodbyes to a beloved show and honour one of crime fiction’s most iconic detectives.
Vera series 14 is still avaiable for streaming on ITVX.